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Could artificial-turf pose a health hazard? The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is examining playing fields with artificial-turf across the country to see if lead levels are at hazardous levels. As reported by The AP:

Two fields in New Jersey were closed this week after state health officials detected what they said were unexpectedly high levels of lead in the synthetic turf and raised fears that athletes could swallow or inhale fibers or dust from the playing surface.

The artificial-turf industry denied its products are dangerous. But the CPSC it is investigating.

"We have a great deal of interest into any consumer product that could be used by children where children could potentially be in harm's way because of lead exposure," CPSC spokesman Scott Wolfson said.

According to The AP report, pigment containing lead chromate is used in some surfaces to make the turf green and hold its color in sunlight. But it is not clear how widely the compound is used. The New Jersey Health Department found lead in both of the nylon fields it tested, but in none of the 10 polyethylene surfaces it examined.

Both fields that were shut down used AstroTurf. General Sports Venue entered into an agreement with Textile Management Associates, Inc. TMA acquired the AstroTurf brand, including all assets and intellectual property, from SRI Sports in February of 2004.

According to the Synthetic Turf Council, “over 800 multi-use synthetic turf sports fields are installed annually in North American schools, colleges, parks and professional sports stadiums. About half of all NFL teams currently play their games on synthetic turf, and it is approved for World Cup soccer matches.”

Currently, the Metrodome and Tropicana Field are the last facilities in MLB that uses synthetic turf.

The City of Newark recently conducted elemental analysis testing using EPA approved protocols on turf fibers from Ironbound Stadium, one of the fields identified in the New Jersey report. A separate independent test, supervised by Dr. Davis Lee, PhD of Chemistry with InnovaNet, was also conducted. Both tests concluded that under EPA approved test conditions, no leaching of heavy metals occurs. In other words – the lead chromate can’t escape the nylon within which it is contained.

There are approx. 3,500 synthetic playing surfaces across the U.S. The two parks in New Jersey that were voluntarily closed were Frank Sinatra Park in Hoboken and a playing surface at the College of New Jersey in Ewing. Upon testing they found lead levels 10 times the amount that is allowed in soil on contaminated sites that are being turned into homes. The CPSC does not test for lead levels in synthetic playing surfaces.

Nestles and MiLB have reached a sponsorship deal by hosting Nestle Drumstick Family Days at ballparks around the country. During these family-centric events, Drumstick will provide ticket discounts and activities for families, as well as visits from the Nestle Drumstick Family Days tour, which is touring the nation in support of the MiLB sponsorship. In addition to the Nestle Drumstick Family Days, selected MiLB teams will also be hosting birthday parties, which include ticket discounts, recognition by the team, special Nestle Drumstick-branded birthday gifts and, Nestle Drumstick cones.

Nestle Drumstick cones are topping off this partnership by offering baseball fans an opportunity to get their own personalized version of authentic Topps baseball cards. Participants can order a free set of official Topps personalized trading cards, with the purchase of two Nestle Drumstick brand products.

A bit of history was made Tuesday regarding a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced that Atlanta Braves Minor League playerJordan Schaferhas received a 50-game suspension for the use of Human Growth Hormone, a performance-enhancing substance, in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension of Schafer will be effective immediately.

Schafer is currently with Double-A Mississippi of the Southern League.

Based on the wording of the press release from MLB ("for the use of" as opposed to "tested positive for"), Schafer was suspended based upon a non-analytical violation -- he did not test positive for a banned substance, but rather other evidence points to Schafer using hGH. Currently, there is no valid test for hGH.

The top prospect for the Braves had been mired in a 1-11 (.091) hitting slump with the Double-A Mississippi Braves. According to The AP, he batted .312 at Class A last year with 15 homers and 63 RBIs for Rome of the South Atlantic League and Myrtle Beach of the Carolina League.

Schafer represents the fourth player to be suspended this year for violation of a drug policy in baseball. All four players have been in violation of the minor league drug policy. Two players (Scott Vander Weg in the Cardinals system and Robert Hernandez in the Cubs system) tested positive for PEDs. Jacob Rodriguez of the Royals system was suspended on January 10th for failure to test and began his 50 game suspension at the beginning of the season.

Schafer also gets the dubious distinction for being the first player suspended outright for Human Growth Hormone. Jose Guillen and Jay Gibbons were given 15 game suspension on December 6 of last year as part of an Albany, NY investigation into an online PED distribution ring out of Florida. Guillen reportedly purchased nearly $20,000 worth of steroids and Human Growth Hormone from 2003 through 2005 from Palm Beach Rejuvenation Center. Gibbons admitted to using hGH in 2005, which he reportedly purchased through Signature Pharmacy.

Both players were to initially start their suspensions at the beginning of the season, but MLB resended the suspensions for 10 days while management and the players' union worked to further strengthen MLB's Joint Drug Agreement (JDA). Today, (Weds. April 9) would mark the end of that 10 day stay of the suspension.

Since mandatory drug testing was instituted, a total of 175 suspensions have been doled out across baseball for a total of 5,375 games.

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that Chicago CubsMinor League player Robert Hernandez has received a 50-game suspension for testing positive for stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension of Hernandez will be effective immediately.

Hernandez is currently with Single-A Peoria of the Midwest League.

Hernandez is the second minor league player to be suspended this season. No major league players have been suspended for being in violation of the JDA this season.

The following is a summary of drug violations since manditory testing began in 2004:

It was announced today that the Lake Elsinore Storm have officially offered employment to Barry Lamar Bonds. The former San Francisco Giants left fielder has been searching far and wide this off-season for a new team culminating in an investigation by the players union into the lack of interest in Major League Baseball’s Home Run King. The Storm offer includes a cushy Media Relations position (with slight pay cut from $19.3 million), full use of baseball facilities and of course expanded cubicle space with barcalounger and plasma TV. “We just think the way he has handled the media with such grace over the years that he would be a perfect fit in our media relations department,” said Chris Jones, Storm General Manager.

Bonds is currently residing in his Bel Air estate and training in Los Angeles a short drive from The Diamond in Lake Elsinore. With a newly renovated Diamond Club Restaurant and a permanent parking space already reserved for ESPN “reporter” Pedro Gomez, the Storm offer a perfect location for a press conference to re-launch his big league career.

Lake Elsinore also has a brand new playing surface with evapotransporation technology which Barry will have full use of as well. “He’s in playing shape right now. He just hasn’t hit off live pitching,” Bonds’ agent, Jeff Borris, said Tuesday. “I’ve had conversations with Barry. It would probably take him about two weeks to get ready.” Lake Elsinore has a 27 person front office, plenty of arms for two weeks of live batting practice.

The Lake Elsinore Storm are the Single-A California League affiliate of the San Diego Padres.

Kids (and let’s face it, some adults) that have struggled to get an autograph from their favorite ballplayer, have always had to do a bit of a juggling act: hand the ball, have a pen, and then watch the player contort to write on it. Afterwards, if you’re lucky enough to get the autograph, you wind up purchasing a ball stand, or work some other bit of handy work to show it off.

Now, Mike Cunningham and League Design Partners Inc. have come up with a product that is form and function when it comes to autographing balls, and displaying them.

While watching the Home Run Derby in 2004, Cunningham came up with what would eventually become “Sign and Sho”, an autograph board that serves as an all-in-one signing kit. Shaped like home plate, the patented product includes a genuine Rawlings leather baseball and a hardwood pen in the form of a baseball bat. The pen is secured to the board with clip while the ball in encased in clear hard plastic positioned in the center of the board.

“I saw fans handing balls and programs to players, and players awkwardly trying to sign them,” Cunningham recalled. “I also watched a fan hand a player a ball without a pen, so the player had nothing to sign the ball with.”

When a fan hands the Sign and Sho TM to a player, the player flips open the ball’s clear lid, removes the pen from its’ clip, signs the ball while resting his hand on the board, closes the lid, returns the pen to the clip and hands the board back to the fan.

“The Sign and Sho is all about making it easier for players and fans, but more importantly custom branding is the attraction for retailers.” Cunningham said. “Getting autographs is exciting for fans, and many players enjoy signing them. Our autograph board simplifies the process through advertising.”

Cunningham and League Design Partners Inc. see the product as a way to promote brand, and works as a promotional product for teams, as well. Each board can be customized with multiple graphics, photos, logos or other branding and advertising. Sign and Sho’s first professional sports customer was the LakewoodBlueClaws, a Single-A affiliate of Philadelphia Phillies. Sign and Sho boards featuring BlueClaws logos and ballpark images were sold in the team’s gift shop last year, and they will return for the 2008 season.

“Player and fan interaction is part of minor league baseball tradition, and the Sign and Sho helps that interaction by making it easier for players to sign autographs,” said Hal Hansen, director of promotions for the BlueClaws. “It provides a keepsake for the fans and gives us an opportunity to market our brand.”

The first PED suspension of 2008 has arrived, by way of a Minor League player.

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that St. Louis Cardinals Minor League player Scott Vander Weg has received a 50-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension will be effective at the start of the 2008 season.

Last season, Vander Weg pitched for Single-A Palm Beach of the Florida State League.

Looking at the numbers in the list of Drug Violations reveals the following information to date since mandatory drug testing has been in place:

172 suspensions have been doled out for a total of 2,485 games

23 at the Major League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program level

6 at the Venezuelan Summer League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program

The Boston Red Sox and Greenville (SC) Drive yesterday announced the extension of their Player Development Contract (PDC) for an additional four years. The extension keeps the Red Sox South Atlantic League Single-A affiliate in Greenville through the 2012 season. Red Sox Director of Player Development Mike Hazen and Greenville President Craig Brown made the announcement this afternoon in Greenville, South Carolina.

"We are very happy to extend our PDC with the Greenville Drive through the 2012 season," said Hazen. "There has been a very positive working relationship between the Red Sox and Drive organizations since we began this affiliation in 2005. Our young players are fortunate to be able to play in such an outstanding facility as West End Field. We look forward to working with Craig Brown and his great staff for many years to come."

The Red Sox originally entered into an agreement with the Drive when the franchise moved from Columbia, SC to Greenville for the 2005 season. The PDC was extended for two years through 2008 prior to the 2006 season.

West End Field was named as the Ballpark of the Year by baseballballparks.com in its first year of operation in 2006.

The AAA Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League, today unveiled new logos and uniforms that work to keep with their tradition (the Beavers are in their 103rd year in the PCL), while looking to rebrand and create new identity that will distinguish them from the Oregon State Beavers, who have now won back-to-back College World Series championships.

(Select any image on the page to see high resolution versions of design and colorways, including to the left)

The new logo is reminiscent of the “Lucky Beaver” design from their days in the ‘40s and ‘50s when they played at Vaughn Street Park, with a new color palette that favors blues over the brick red that adorned the team’s colors since returning to Portland in 2000.

“Over the last several months, we received significant fan input regarding just how valued the long and rich tradition of the Portland Beavers is in our community,” said Merritt Paulson, president and general manager of the Beavers. ”The new logo and uniforms embrace the history that Portlanders told us is so meaningful to them; the look helps to underscore the fact that the Beavers have been Portland ’s team since 1903.”

The Class AAA Richmond Braves, the organization's highest-level minor-league affiliate, could play in Gwinnett as soon as 2009. The Braves' three-year contract at the Richmond stadium, known as The Diamond, runs through the 2010 season, but the Braves have the option to pull out after the 2008 season.

Many details of the move were not known Monday, as Braves and Gwinnett County officials refused to talk about the relocation. A stadium for the Richmond Braves could be built on land the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners is expected to approve today for purchasing. The commission agenda lists a $5 million "purchase and sale agreement" of about 12 acres owned by Brand Properties.

Brand Morgan, Brand Properties' owner, declined to comment on the sale or what the land will be used for, but he did say he plans to attend a news conference today at Gwinnett Center.

The location of for the new ballpark will be along Buford Drive, southeast of I-85 and near the Mall of Georgia.

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that Kansas City Royals Minor League player Jacob Rodriguez has received a 50-game suspension for failure to take a drug test, a violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension will be effective at the start of the 2008 season.

In 2007, Rodriguez played for the Surprise Royals of the Arizona Rookie League.

Rodriguez represents the 29th minor league player suspended under the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program for the 2007 season, and the 37th player suspended under MLB and MiLB drug testing programs.